Marshall Arisman
Marshall Arisman
Marshall Arisman, chairperson and founder of the School of Visual Arts (SVA NYC) MFA Illustration As Visual Essay program since 1984, a respected artist, illustrator, filmmaker and author, died suddenly of heart failure on April 22. “A deeply and widely beloved figure, Marshall’s influence has been much greater than a succession of important roles,” writes David Rhodes, President of SVA. “A singular, protean figure in his profession, his editorial illustration is instantly recognizable and universally admired, his painting and sculpture provided spiritual context throughout. Arisman contributed illustrations to the New York Times Magazine, OpEd Page, Book Review, Time, among others and illustrated posters, books and publications. His paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings are in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum, the National Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian Institution. He is an inductee in the Art Directors and Society of Illustrators Halls of Fame.
Born in Jamestown, N. Y., on Oct. 14, 1938, he graduated in 1960 from Pratt Institute with a degree in graphic design. He started teaching drawing at SVA in 1964 and was named chair of the Design & Illustration Department in 1967. In 1970, Arisman became co-chair of the Media Arts Department.
Arisman is survived by his wife, Dee Ito, whom he married in 1964.
His parents, Helen Alexis Arisman, Walter Arisman and brother, Bruce Arisman are deceased.
He is survived by his niece, Debbie of Jamestown, N.Y.; brother and sister-in-law, Joel and Joyce Ito, their children and grandchildren.
“Marshall’s passing impacts generations of his students–those many shelves of their [illustrated] books always made him proud,” adds President Rhodes, “as well as generations of colleagues who will remember his grace and generosity.”